The Masked Patron

by **Nivel** on March 28th, 2014, 3:20 am

1st day of Spring, 514 AV

With the parchment Sir Erik had given her -which looked like a battering ram in her possession- Nivel headed to the Dormitories to figure out the details of her new life as a squire. As soon as Nivel arrived she received a quizzical look form a Tall Folk who Nivel could only assume was one of the chaperons Erik was talking about. Nivel explained that she had just been accepted as a squire and handed the giant the note. After carefully reading the note over the Tall folk hesitantly asked the Pycon to follow them. Nivel trailed behind the Chaperon until they reached the destination which was to be Nivel's new living quarters.

Nivel was told to wait in the room until a meeting could be arranged with an assigned patron, Nivel took this time to explore her new room. While it was a pretty small room for a human it was a massive room for a pycon, complete with three beds the size of a typical Pycon Mansion, a cupboard for putting ones belongings and the mounted torch that seemed to be everywhere in the inner city. Nivel investigated under one of the beds and noticed a great deal of dust bunnies and even a few bug corpses and lost buttons "this is like a whole other land!" Nivel thought as she searched under the large structure.

While the Pycon looked for more hidden treasures in the dark cave that was meant to be her bed, she couldn't help wonder who her Patron would be. Would they nice? would they work Nivel too hard? How many arms would they have? so many questions entered Nivel's Nexus that it was driving her crazy. From what her parents had shared with her, Patrons made a squire work very hard but also taught them a great deal. Knowledge was the most coveted treasure that a Pycon could receive and Nivel couldn't wait to see how her Patron would shape her with they would teach.

A few more buttons and mice feces later and the door opened.

by **Nivel** on March 28th, 2014, 5:17 am

At the door stood a mysterious female figure who wore a mask that covered her entire face. The mask was elegantly designed with colourful patterns and motifs, all of which were seamlessly embroidered to almost insane levels of detail. The top of the mask had embroidered butterfly pins that lay just above dirty blond hair that was tied up in several lace ribbons. The Women wore light that was a mix or leather, plate and draping cloth, that while artistically designed with several tree branch details was comparatively plain to the mask she wore. "would there perhaps be a Pycon in this room?" Said the Masked women in a soft voice.

Nivel revealed herself from underneath the bed but was momentarily stunned when she caught sight of who would be her Patron. The Pycon found this fascinating creature far more interesting than she had previously imagined. "I believe I am the pycon you seek" Nivel finally spoke up.
"Well then I should probably introduce myself, my name is Grey Baxter but you may call me Grey if you choose." Grey said as she did a slight curtsy
"My name is Nivel"
"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Squire Nivel..I must say I had no idea I would be getting a squire to so soon let alone one so small." Grey chuckled warmly
"well I suppose I should lay down the ground rules..rule number one...do what ever I say that should really be all you need to know. I have things I need to finish up today but we could meet tomorrow to start your training, I'll expect you in the training grounds at the crack of dawn...please don't disappoint me."
"I wont Patron Grey" Nivel said with awkward abruptness.
"I should hope not.."
Grey Baxter turned to leave but stopped.
"before I go, Answer me this...what can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?"
"um..I don't know"
"don't worry I won't be expecting the answer until tomorrow, see you then."
with that the strange women left, leaving Nivel to work on her new assignment.

by **Nivel** on March 29th, 2014, 4:08 am

2nd day of Spring, 514 AV

The next day Nivel still hadn't the faintest of idea how to solve the riddle Grey had given her. The Pycon was sure it was some kind of magical creature she had never heard of, what else could it possibly be. while Pycons don't normally require much sleep, thinking about what this Strange beast looked like had made sleeping impossible. Every part of her wanted to stay rapped in the discarded dishtowel she found but Nivel forced herself to get up and head to the Training Grounds.

The training grounds themselves were far more stimulating then Nivel had imagined. There was large boulders, trees, and even maze like pathways, all of which situated on the roof of the castle. It was surprising to see just how many other people were up this early but with all the people training it wasn't hard to find his Patron. Grey had on a different mask today but the only major difference was the fabric flowers where there was once butterflies on the forehead trim.
"I'm here as you instructed" Nivel said as she walked up to Grey who was casually leaning against a stone wall.
"hrm.. a little later than I had hoped but I am still glad you blessed me with your presence little one..I assume you are ready to begin"
"..yes" Nivel hesitated. The Pycon wasn't sure if this was an appropriate time to ask about the answer to the riddle.
"hrm you do not sound like someone who is ready"
"sorry I just want to know the answer to the riddle you tasked me to solve yesterday, I spent all night thinking what the answer could be."
"After we train I may give you the answer but only if I am satisfied with your performance."
"oh thank you, I'll do my very best" Nivel said happily as she jumped enthusiastically in the air.
"Well I should hope so...Follow me"

Grey escorted Nivel to the forested area, which seemed to be the only unoccupied area. It was surprising because the trees looked beautiful even if they were still only the leafless husks left from the winter. The two stood across from each other although from a distance it could easily be seen as Grey standing alone facing the ground in meditation.
"Okay let us begin by getting to know each other better" Grey said in her usual pleasant tone. "Why did you want to join the order?"
Nivel stopped to think as she didn't want to make the same mistakes she made when explaining the same question to Sir Erik.
"I wanted to join because my parents were both Mage knights and I want to be strong and protect the innocent like them." Nivel said with confidence
"interesting" Was all Grey said as she started to rummage through a small pouch she had attached to her belt. "Do you know any magic?"
"Well I know how to read auras..but I also kno-" Nivel was cut off as she crashed to the floor unexpectedly. The pycon lifted her head to see that a rock had buried itself into her torso.
Nivel lodged the rock out and the impression it left slowly filled in.
"should have been paying attention.." said the the patron in a mocking tone
"you did that?!" Said a shocked Nivel
"of course..now what was that you were about to say?"

by **Nivel** on April 6th, 2014, 4:53 am

"Um....well I can read auras and..."Nivel flinched ready to get hit with another rock but none came so she reluctantly continued. "I know how to use a bit of Flux magic as well"
"that's interesting" Grey said as she let down a heavy stomp of her foot in the Pycon's direction.
Nivel narrowly evaded being squished with a well timed tumble. Nivel didn't land very elegantly but she was able to avoid being flattened under the mad womens boot.
"Oh, you seem quite fluid in your movements" noted the Patron.
Nivel didn't know what this Tall Folks game was or why she was so insistent on causing her harm. Was Nivel saying something wrong? Was she doing some thing wrong?
"Why do you keep attacking me, did I do something bad?" Nivel asked with sincerity.
"not bad, but not good ether...I'll ask again do you know any magic?" Grey replied as she fished out another rock from her pouch.

Nivel knew her next response would have to be much different than the last, If she was to avoid getting another stone thrown at her. Nivel wondered if this was all a lesson to teach her about being more secretive about her use of magic, the pycon had been warned about this very thing by her parents. Nivel just wished Grey could use a better way of communicating this lesson.
"...no I do not" Nivel said meekly while preparing herself to move at even the slightest twitch of Grey's wrist.
"good, do you know how to fight?"
The Pycon hesitated before giving her answer. "..no"
Nivel did know a little bit of martial arts but felt it was safer to say that she didn't.
"that is a fine answer as well, If I am to be your patron you will need to accept that you know nothing...is that clear?" Grey commanded
"yes that is clear."
"wonderful...I suppose I can give you the answer to the riddle now..Although I will not do this often..consider this a feebie. The answer to the riddle is.. a river"
Nivel was a little disappointed and even more confused that she was before. To Nivel's limited knowledge rivers didn't have heads, mouths, legs, or had any need for furniture.
Sensing the pycons confusion the Patron spoke up again " let me explain, you see when the river moves people call that running, where the river meets the ocean it's called a mouth, the source of a river is called the rivers head and the land that the river flows on is it's bed."
The explanation only gave Nivel more questions, but before she could ask them Grey had instructed her to run around the perimeter of the training ground 20 times to which Nivel very reluctantly complied.

by **Radiant** on April 14th, 2014, 1:20 am

Nivel :

Notes :

My radiance is not bright enough?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, beam me a PM and we can work it out.

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	+2 XP
Socialization	+2 XP
Endurance	+1 XP
Acrobatics	+1 XP

Completed The Masked Patron